Former Switzerland junior international Steven Ukoh has been cleared by FIFA to play for Nigeria at full international level.

A report monitored on supersport.com revealed that the 23-year-old, who currently plays for Swiss side FC Biel-Bienne, had earlier represented Switzerland at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, but is now eligible to play for Nigeria.

Ukoh’s parents are of Nigerian heritage as they are from Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Also, Arsenal FC duo of Semi Ajayi and Chuba Akpom might be considered for the friendly internationals with Mali and Ivory Coast.

Ajayi has already been called up by Samson Siasia for the U-23 camp. The Arsenal youngsters have expressed interest in playing for Nigeria and it seems it is just a matter of time before they get capped by the African champions.

Akpom and Ajayi are highly rated at Arsenal with the former making a few first team appearances for the Gunners while Ajayi has made the bench in the last two games the team have played in the Barclays Premier League.

Nigeria will play the Elephants of Ivory Coast on 9 January and then take on the Eagles of Mali four days later as the two teams prepare to hit Equatorial Guinea for the 2015 Orange/Caf Africa Cup of Nations.